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Prescription drug abuse is the scourge of the nation and pills, like these Oxycontin tablets seized in Los Angeles, are scoring big bucks on the street

By Parija Kavilanz @CNNMoney June 1, 2011: 8:51 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Prescription drug abuse, now the fastest-growing drug problem in the country, has created a ballooning street market for highly-addictive pain relief, anxiety and depression drugs. Given the money involved, it's no…

(Read the CNN article and watch the CNN video interview with a Los Angeles County Sheriff's detective below. Note: This internet hyperlink is provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse products or services)

http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/01/news/economy/prescription_drug_abuse/?section=money_latest

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Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Major Crimes Bureau (HALT) - Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force

The Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force (HALT) is a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency unit funded and managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau. The HALT Task Force works with several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and private industry investigators that explore crimes which threaten public health and safety.

Globally, HALT deals with different issues in different countries. Organized crime groups from Russia, Armenia, Nigeria and the Philippines are the most common organized crime groups associated with health care fraud. Criminals from Middle Eastern countries are also prevalent in these crime groups. The task force mainly deals with stolen health care funds, smuggled pharmaceuticals, and counterfeit drugs and money.
More about HALT:

http://www.lasdhq.org/sites/YIR/2005/visuals/1617.pdf


Safe Drug Drop-Off Program available at your local Los Angeles County Sheriff's Station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_152501.pdf




Forwarded by:
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
[email protected]
www.lasd.org


Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department


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